Grills and Cocktails...In and Out

ensure that clients do not forget about her in a hurry. Mrs 'Funke Awobokun shares her business story and tips on how to be stay relevant in the seemingly crowded business world.


Share about yourself and your business 

I, Olufunke Awobokun, am the CEO of Cocktails In and Out Limited (CIO), which has offices in Lagos and Abuja and operations covering the breadth of Nigeria. Cocktails In and Out - CIO is steadily carving a niche in the industry and has grown from strength to strength to become not only a leader in the industry but a pace and trend setter with the introduction of mobile cocktail bar services pioneered by CIO in 2005. My team and I are passionate about distinction and the introduction of new quality trends hence the establishment of Nigeria’s very first Mongolian grill restaurant ‘Grills In and Out’ - GIO in 2012 where we created an exciting and eclectic menu for discerning customer palates. Offering a mix of Asian and Nigerian grilled food in a fresh, healthy, low fat cooking process all in a relaxing, family oriented ambience where space and activities for children is an integral part of the design. 
Grills In and Out- GIO is a fast casual restaurant and premium food outlet with a vision to make dining out a fun filled, healthy and different experience, giving the customer much more control over what should be in their meal, hence our slogan ‘Own Your Food”. GIO offers exquisite recipes that indulge palates. Currently both businesses have branches in Abuja and Lagos.

Your business story (i.e. how and why you started, story so far, the hustle and struggle etc.)

Passion is indeed a very powerful or compelling emotion. It is said, follow your passion and never work a day in your life. In my case, hospitality is passion, I am a “foodie”; thus, every day as I work, face challenges and of course earn an income, I am actually living my passion. Truthfully, when you live your passion, you will never see any challenge as a challenge, but rather as an opportunity to do things differently. Good food and drink as a lifestyle, a health choice, a business, and a positive social statement. It is my strong belief that food and drink can be good, exciting, delicious, different, healthy and fun.

Cocktails In and Out - CIO was born in 2005. It started in my house; I started little, with little and built something very big over the years.

Her sibling, Grills In and Out-GIO is a premium food outlet, which commenced operations October 13 2013 in Abuja, FCT. The Lagos Outlet was opened two  years later in Lekki Phase1. I created this distinct business concept based on my different culinary experiences both home and abroad but also, considering our own local palate and environment.

Most importantly, I do not compromise on product quality and customer services. For once you have a product of high premium quality and render legendary customer services, your marketing is indeed reduced. Thus, as a perfectionist, My team and I have over the years, built on our products, introduced new items (menu and beverages) and have continuously trained ourselves to render exceptional customer services. I don’t joke with any aspect of the business and have developed concrete operational systems and standards, which serve as the foundation on which we operate. We keep ourselves informed about current and recent trends in our target areas by attending series of training programs, seminars and events, anchored on introducing new cuisine or drinks, as in this industry in order to keep ahead, one must always roll out something new and exciting.

How you balanced work with personal life and other challenges you faced and overcame

Finding a balance between work life and personal life can be a challenge for a career-driven woman and entrepreneur. It can even be conceived as an impossible goal; however, I manage to get through each day as it comes. Though free time for family at times may seem to be scarce, I have achieved a social schedule, outside work and try my best to keep to it religiously. I always ensure I spend quality time with my family and when it is family time, it is family time: I don’t as a rule, talk about work. In balancing my social life, I try to attend social functions, which helps me connect with those that are important to me.

What/who motivates you to keep going in spite of the challenges

My dear husband, Mr. Ademola Awobokun has and continues to be my greatest motivator and supporter, who has always inspired and nurtured me in the course of running my businesses.


Whether or not you take trainees and/or apprentices
Yes, I do.

Advice to aspiring and upcoming entrepreneurs
My advice to aspiring and upcoming entrepreneurs can be summarizes as follows:
Invest in your passion, in saying:
a.       Build your capacity and expertise in your chosen field of endeavor;
b.      Develop achievable goals and aspiration;
c.       Set realistic targets;
d.      Draw out a timeline to achieve these set goals and targets; and
e.       Above all, maintain FOCUS!!


As every idea is a seed in the minds of many, always ensure to:
a.       Be different, think differently, and act different; and
b.      Ask as many questions as you can, never assume you know it all

Do not compromise planning; if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Always remember that:
a.       Every resource has limitations;
b.      Every investment has a return on investment (ROI);
c.       Every dream requires a steady supply of passion to actualize;
d.      Every failure has a learning curve; and
e.       Every success is but a beginning.

Mrs Funke Serving Clients

- Find a balance in your schedule and life, nothing should ever suffer.